“Giorgi knows best about these things.”
“We still have one troop out,” she adds. “I can send word as soon as they return.”
I nod, steeling myself for what I need to tell her.
“And regarding the carnoraxis attacks,” she adds, “they’ve already crossed the borders. One attack has gone as far as the border between Hedera and Podrosa.”
“Thanks, but you can pass on all this information directly to Mylo.”
Her brows dip down. “Commander?”
I tap the table, releasing a long exhale before I continue. “I’m not stepping down. But King Silas is insisting I take a… hiatus. He wants me focused on court appearances. The legitimization tour.”
Aila frowns. “He’s pulling you out of field work?”
“He already has,” I say, quieter. “I’m not permitted to meet up with the squad anymore. Not unless it’s a royal-approved engagement. He made an exception for my uncle’s return, and to do this handover in person.”
Her expression darkens. “You’re the commander. You’re our best.”
“And you’ll still have me. Just not right now. You have to understand, I’m doing this for the good of Delasurvia.” I walk to the map, fingers brushing the edge of the parchment. “I didn’t want to leave without ensuring the regiment is still in good hands. That the work continues. The camps are still operating, even if quietly. The villages still need protection. I’m naming Mylo interim commander. I’ve already spoken with him, so he knows what to expect. But he needs someone by his side to pick up the pieces he might miss. A good second.”
Aila blinks. “Me?”
“Don’t act so surprised,” I say with a laugh. “You’ll make an excellent lieutenant. You know the squads, the terrain, the rhythm of the field. Hell, you’re more updated on the current status of things than I am at the moment. You’re ready. You’vebeenready.”
For a long moment, she doesn’t speak. Then she softly says, “You trust me with this?”
“With everything.”
She nods once, the corners of her eyes shining just slightly in the torchlight. “Then I won’t let you down.”
“I know.” I give her a wink. “That’s why I chose you.”
The ever-present tension in my chest eases a bit.
Because even if I can’t be here… I know my people are still being protected.
By two of our own. Two of my very best.
“Isaac and Giorgi are going to be pissed you chose me above them,” she jokes.
“No, they won’t. They know how good you are.”
As Aila and I step out of the war room together, the sounds of soldiers engaged in discussions fill my ears. Exhaustion is pulling me down, but if I can get this announcement out in the open, it will one less thing I need to deal with before I’m ready to pass out in my old room.
Aila moves ahead of me without hesitation, climbing up on a table and placing her thumb and finger in her mouth to create a loud whistle. As the din of the crowd fades, she holds a hand out to me. I take it and jump onto the table beside her.
“Listen up,” I call out, my voice ringing across the courtyard with a clarity that silences every clang of metal and murmur of conversation. “It’s truly great to be back in your presence and to see that you’re all holding up the integrity of Delasurvia. I’m sure you’re all curious as to how things will be moving forward, given the circumstances.” There’s no need for me to get into the theories of Torbin’s survival; Aila’s been keeping the regiment informed in my stead. “In order to keep Delasurvia safe, especially under King Silas’s watchful eye, I must take a temporary hiatus of my duties as commander.”
Boots shuffle, and heads turn as murmurs fill the room.
“I would never abandon you without knowing you’re in proper, skilled hands, so I am grateful to be able to inform you that Mylo Yaroslav has been appointed as your interim commander during myabsence, and Aila Chen will serve as the new lieutenant. I know you will be well led under their care.”
Mylo jumps up on the table, making the entire thing shake. “That means if I give an order, you follow it. If I say jump, you ask how high.”
“And if anyone has an issue with this arrangement,” Aila adds, “then I suggest you take it up with the sharp end of my dagger. I’m sure it’ll be happy to hear your complaints.”
Laughter breaks through the air like a snapped arrow string. Isaac raises his mug in a mock toast while Giorgi gives a dramatic, sweeping bow. Even Lorne cracks a crooked grin, clapping his hands in congratulations.
